Cross-index.



Patented sept. 2, |902. Y n. L 'HuNTErL CROSS INDEX UNrTED raras nrnNrrement ROBERT L. HUNTER, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO.

CROSS-INDEX.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 708,479, datedSeptember 190'2,

Application filed January IO, 1901.` Serial No. 42,749. (No modelu T0@ZZ w21/0m it may concern: v

Be it known that I, ROBERT L. HUNTER, of Cleveland, county of Cuyahoga,and State of Ohio, have invented a certain new and Improved Cross-Index,of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in card-indexes, and particularlyto a card-index by means of which cross-referencing or crossindexing ismade possible.

The object of my invention is to provide a device for cross-indexingpurposes whereby certain cards may be held in conspicuous positionsrelative to the others as a visual indication of unusual conditions.

My invention consists in the combination, with a box or tray ofconsiderably greater width than the cards, of means for holding thecards in various desired transverse positions relatively to each otherin said box or tray.`

My invention further consists in Various constructions and combinationsof parts, all as hereinafter described, and particularly pointed out inthe claims.

The invention will be more readily understood by reference to theaccompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, and inwhich- Figure l is a plan of a box or tray, showing the cards incross-index relations or positions. Fig. 2 is a cross-section of thesame on line Fig. l. Fig. 3 is an enlarged detail section of the lowerportion of the cards and tray. Fig. 4 is a longitudinal section of thefollower. the follower.

As shown in the drawings, 2 represents the box or tray, which is ofconsiderably greater width than the cards 37, that are used therein.This box contains a follower 29, provided with horizontal lugs 30 on itsends to enter guide-grooves 3l in the sides of the box. For holding thefollower in position behind the cards 37 I provide two spring-plungers34 in Vertical sockets in the follower and backed by springs 33 therein.The bottom of the follower is padded with cloth, through which theplungers exert force upon the bottom of the box to slightly tilt thefollower and to cramp the same in the slots 3l. To free the follower, itis only necessary to throw it back Fig. 5 is a transverse section ofVagainst the force of the spring-plungers, after which it is easy toslide the follower back and forth in the box.

The cross-indem proper-28 28 represent metal runners or strips set onedge and projecting up from the bottom of the box. These are paralleland are preferably permanently fixed in the box. Each card 37 isprovided with two sets of vertical slots 40, with substantially parallelsides in its lower edge cut at regular distances, so that the cards maybe dropped upon the runners 28 and will be held thereby againsttransverse movement in the box. The cards will usually occupy a positionmidway across the box, such position indicating a normal conditionregarding the matter of record appearing upon the several cards; but ifit is desired to distinguish one card from another it is only necessaryto raise the same and move it to one side or the other, thereafterdropping it back upon the runners 28, which will hold it in the desiredlateral relation to the other cards. Thus in a cardindex that isemployed for indexing subscribers of a newspaper the ordinary data maybe placed upon the faces of the cards, and su bscription payments'inarrears orwhich have been made in advance may be readily indicated bysetting the cards out one or more notches to the right or to the left,according as the payments are in arrears or in advance for months oryears corresponding to the number of spaces or notches that the cardsare set out. Such a card index, which is cross-indexed, as is shown inFig. 2, greatly simplifies the keeping of records and accounts byshowing conditions in a visual manner, making it unnecessary to give,attention to any cards except those that are set out or cross-indexed, aglance at the box giving a very accurate idea of the condition of thebusiness.

In addition to the cuts or slots 40, provided in the lower edges of thecards 37, I prefer also to make a slot 43 in each card for the re`ception of a locking-rod 4:1. This rod extends from the front of the boxto a screwsocket 42 upon the rear end of the box and when securedtherein prevents the accidental displacement of the cards upon therunners 28. At the same time the slots 43 in the cards are long enoughto admit the rod through all IOO cards Without regard to the lateralprojection of some thereof.

It is apparent that my device is capable of being changed and modifiedWithout departing from the spirit and scope of my invention, and Itherefore do not restrict myself to the construction shown anddescribed.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secureby Letters Patent- 1. In a device of the class described, thecombination of a plurality of index-cards and means for holding orretaining said cards in various transverse positions relatively to eachother, substantially as described.

2. In a device of the class described, the combination of a guide orguides and a plurality of index-cards, each of said cards being providedwith a plurality of means for engaging said guide or guides whereby saidcards may be held in various transverse positions, substantially asdescribed.

3. In a device o'f the class described, the combination of a guide orguides and a plurality of ind eX-cards each card being provided with aplurality of means for loosely engaging said guide or `guides wherebysaid cards may be held in various transverse positions, While free 'tomove in a longitudinaldirection, substantially as described.

4. In a device of the class described, the combination of a plurality ofindex-cards provided With slots upon their edges, means ,for holding orretaining said cards in various transverse positions relatively to eachother, comprising a guide or guides for engaging the slots of saidcards, substantially as described.

5. In a device of the class described, the combination of a plurality ofindex-cards provided With slots, means for engaging said slots andholding or retaining said cards from transverse movement relatively toeach other While permitting the free longitudinal movement of the same,substantially as described.

(3. In a device of the class described, the combination With the box ortray of a runner 2b provided in the bottom thereof and cards providedwith a plurality of slots 40 and held in desired transverse relations bysaid runner, substantially as described.

7. In a device of the class'described, the combination with the box ortray of the parallel runners 28` provided in the bottom thereof and aplurality of cards each having two sets of vertical slots 40 to tit saidrunners, substantially as described.

S. In a device of the class described, the combination With-the box ortray of the parallel runners 28 provided in the bottom thereof and aplurality of cards each having two sets of vertical slots 40 to fit saidrunners, said cards also having slots 43 and a locking-rod extendingthrough said slots, substantially as described.

9. In a device of the class described, the combination with the box ortray of the runners 2S in the bottom thereof, cards adapted to be heldin various transverse positions by said runners and locking means commonto said cards, substantially as described.

l0. A cross-index card provided With a plurality of vertical slots 40,with substantially parallel sides, as and for the purpose specilied.

11. A cross-index card provided With a plurality of slots 40 Withsubstantially parallel sides and having a middle locking-bar aperture,as and for the purpose specified.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 10th day ofDecember, 1900. ROBERT L. HUNTER. In presence of- C. G. HAWLEY, T. D.BUTLER.

